Chess Puzzle #0vawh — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 551 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, queen rook endgame.

Position

White: king g1; queen b1; rook c2; pawns b4/d4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rook a7; bishop b3; pawns c3/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxb3 — queen b1→b3, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ra1+ — rook a7→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Rc1 (rook c2→c1).
  3. Best move: Rxc1+ — rook a1→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qd1 (queen b3→d1).
  4. Best move: Rxd1# — rook c1→d1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, queen rook endgame. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/r4ppp/4p3/3p4/1P1P4/1bp1P3/2R2PPP/1Q4K1 w - - 0 33

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.